• Carmen Ho is a young composer and the winner of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Composition Prize 2018 as well as recent finalist of the Toru Takemitsu Composition Award.
  • Her new work, Unforged, has been commissioned for Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s autumn season. The piece will be performed on Wednesday 24 November (Lighthouse, Poole) under the baton of the BSO’s Chief Conductor Kirill Karabits.
  • The piece is part of a triptych of new works written by women which features across the Orchestra’s 2021/22 season.

The world premiere of Unforged takes place on Wednesday 24 November at Lighthouse, Poole. The performance will also be livestreamed to a global audience and available to view for 30 days, presented by broadcaster Martin Handley.

Carmen’s new work is part of a triptych of new pieces written by women being celebrated by the BSO this year: the Orchestra performs material by Elizabeth Ogonek and Franghiz Ali-Zadeh later in 2021/22.

Dougie Scarfe, Chief Executive of the BSO said, “We’re thrilled to commission this new piece, Unforged, and can’t wait to hear its world premiere in Poole under the baton of Kirill Karabits. Carmen is an up-and-coming young composer whose work has been garnering international attention — and we’re especially proud that she’s a member of staff here at the BSO!”

Composer, Carmen Ho said, “For me, the title Unforged means authenticity, originality and possibility, and the piece begins with a minimal idea before expanding and evolving into a rich and complex sound world. I’m really happy that the BSO has commissioned this piece and that its world premiere will be performed here in Poole, where I’m currently based!”

The BSO continues to broadcast its main season each Wednesday night from Poole —following its inaugural year of livestreamed broadcasts — and resumes its symphonic touring this autumn, with concerts in Basingstoke, Exeter, and Portsmouth.

The Orchestra’s Autumn Series of symphonic concerts is supported by Season Sponsor Investec. Carmen Ho’s new commission has been generously supported by Terence and Annette O’Rourke.

Carmen Ho’s Unforged will be performed on Wednesday 24 November at Lighthouse, Poole. The livestreamed concert will be available for 30 days. For details visit www.bsolive.com

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